Running Addiction

Amanda_1973

I'm just starting out trying to learn 5 K so I don't have an addiction to running at all, though my husband started this time last year and has developed an addiction to it (could be worse things to be addicted to I'm guessing) he just LOVES it so much. What is it about it exactly that is so addictive? and about when does the addiction occur?

janejellyroll

Do you mean an actual exercise addiction (that is, something that is putting health and relationships at risk) or do you mean just really, really enjoying running? If someone is suffering from an actual exercise addition, there is no one set time when it takes place -- it's going to be different for everyone.

If you just mean really, really enjoying running: I really, really enjoy running. I run six days a week. I enjoy the constant interaction between the limitations of my body and the goals I set for myself, I enjoy seeing improvements, and intense exercise does release chemicals in our bodies that can reduce pain and make us feel really good. It is associated with mood enhancements for many people. I guess I began feeling it around the time that I could regularly run for 20-30 minutes without stopping, but it's more intense on days when I do longer runs.

dewd2

Welcome to your husband. Glad he joined the club. It won't be long 'til we get you too. Ha ha ha ha ha (in my best Vincent price voice).

BTW - Not every who tries running loves it. You will know at some point if this is you. I'd say when it starts getting easier so you can just 'run' an not have to breathe hard and nothing hurts. Then you can run and zone out.

Philtex

Amanda_1973 wrote: »

when does the addiction occur?

For me it was when I ran my first race (a 5K).

Zarka_91

you either love running or you dont lol. im developing a love for it slowly, i wouldnt say addiction just yet, i used to run every single day till i burnt my immune system out with over training then i reduced my running days to 3 times a week .. some weeks i tend to fit in 5 days of running, depends how i feel really. today i did a 5 mile run, only to injure my foot which is currently throbbing with pain haha, hope it recovers soon so i can get back to running.

_RNR_

Never.

TavistockToad

Philtex wrote: »

Amanda_1973 wrote: »

when does the addiction occur?

For me it was when I ran my first race (a 5K).

It took me a year of running...

spiriteagle99

I agree with Philtex. Racing is fun. Training for races can be hard, but it can be good too, as you expand your limits and do things you never thought possible. I love the challenge of training for a new distance, or trying to get faster at a previous distance. I'll never be fast, but I do enjoy the atmosphere of a race and pushing myself as hard as I can.

I love spending time outdoors. I am primarily a hiker and backpacker, but running is something I can do every day and not just on weekends. I love the feeling I get after a good run, the mellow warm rush of endorphins. Some people never get that. But they do get to the point where it isn't hard all the time. They learn what easy pace feels like and find themselves able to extend their distance without too much trouble. That feels good, even if you don't get the runners high.

cwolfman13

I loath running...I love cycling. I dusted off my bike a few years ago while training for a sprint triathlon and pretty much immediately fell in love with it. I don't run, but I love being out on the bike.

divcara

I hate running, but I love racing. To me, it became very addictive to have a time to beat and sign up for new races and try to beat my previous times. I also love the social aspect, the new friends I have made, and the fun of festive races, good race swag, or the post race parties. I am in no danger of placing in my age group (yet haha), but I like striving to be in the top 10% of females or age group, or whatever my current goal is.

The thing is, I actually do not enjoy running. I know people like to run for a variety of reasons. I hate it! When I run alone, I get bored, restless, and just think about how much I hate it. I do more interval training in my classes - mentally I can handle 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes at a time.

I never run outside on my own. I actually joined a run club that starts up in a few weeks to train for a 10K. But the real reason was motivation to run outdoors and get my 5K time down if I actually train a few times a week. While it always makes me feel good, I don't run or exercise for pure enjoyment. I have a personality that enjoys the competition (against myself), or always needing a new goal to chase to stay engaged and motivated. Race days bring out the inner athlete in me I never knew I had.

I have friends that are the complete opposite - love running, absolutely hate the competitive aspect of racing. Everyone's motivations are so different! But yes, it can get addictive - in the best of ways!

MeanderingMammal

Amanda_1973 wrote: »

...and about when does the addiction occur?

When I started trail running.

And you can't complain when the aid stations have beer, cider, vodka, champagne... And cake...

JenHuedy

I got hooked during the week 5 20 minute run in C25K. That was when I first time I experienced the feeling of being able to do something I never thought I could do and I've been hooked ever since.

I started C25K because I wanted to run a mile just once in my life - I never could run the whole mile in the school fitness tests. I told myself I'd do this C25K thing, and if I didn't like running when I finished it I would stop. It's been nearly 2 years and I still run at least 20 miles a week. I'm hooked on meeting new fitness goals. Faster 10K time, heavier deadlift, or just trying a new lift or running a new route.

esjones12

Actually running can be a dangerous thing to get addicted to. You can very easily destroy your body if you don't learn proper biomechanics and training progression. People mistaken it as a sport anyone can just up and do.

I definitely took a better liking to it after I'd built up a bit of endurance and started hitting trails. I love being outside and being goal oriented - so obstacle course racing struck true to me. And I've been falling in love with the training aspect ever since. Racing really shouldn't be your only motive for something.

z4oslo

I abused my body for 2 decades with cigarettes, and alot of bad food. I was always tired and doing anything that remotely sounded like exercise was NOT something I wanted to do.

So, in early july 2016 I ordered a big pizza, and managed to stuff the whole pizza into my fat looking face.
I was STUFFED, and felt more like a pig than a human.
At that point I was 220 pounds, and not very happy with myself. When I look back I think I pretty much hated the person I had become.

I decided to to something about it, so I started eating less, and started walking - about 6 km each day after work.
Then I started to walk quicker, and basicly raced with myself huffing and puffing along.
The path I was walking is part of a recreational area, and lots of people use it, dog walkers, dog walkers without a dog, and plenty of runners.

Looking at other runners, I wanted to become one. Not because every runner I saw was some slim version of a superhuman, but because they looked so damn happy. And thats what i wanted to .. to be happy!

So I looked at different apps, and downloaded Zombies run 5k, and it proved to be one of the best decisions in my life.
I quit smoking, and started the program first week of September. By late October I could run 5 kilometers.
I was so proud, and also amazed that the body that I had been abusing for so many years, would adopt to this crazy crazy thing called running.

Today I run 5 times every week, and I LOVE it. Ill run my first race ever in April (10K) with 10000 others.
I wont be the fastest but let me tell you..Ill be HAPPY.

And thats why I love running. It makes my happy.

A side effect is that ive lost 55 pounds since then, I want to lose 20 more. The last pound I will save for the last week of April, and lose it during my 10k race.

jennypapage

i started really liking it, when i finished the c25k program and was not feeling exhausted every time i ran.sometimes i have a great run and i love it,sometimes i have a bad run and i can't wait for it to be over.but i always put my running shoes on when the time comes again.

lporter229

I think the answer is different for everyone, but I think most people fall in love with running when they realize that they don't have to run fast and they slow down and run at a conversational pace. When you run like this, you get the feeling that you could run forever and it feels great!

Amanda_1973

yeah I think the answers you gave me above are what my husband is experiencing, I'm just trying to understand he's desire/passion for it, I guess addiction is the wrong word to use but that seems to be what it's like. I'm hoping the C25K will the real experience of it and see how it goes. He's first "addiction" or enjoyment of it it occurred after he's first 5K race as well last year.

woodwardtm

The endorphins released when exercising make you feel good. When you are first starting out as a runner, completing that 5K gives you such a sense of accomplishment! It makes you want to do more.

fishgutzy

woodwardtm wrote: »

The endorphins released when exercising make you feel good. When you are first starting out as a runner, completing that 5K gives you such a sense of accomplishment! It makes you want to do more.

Exactly.
Any exercise that releases endorphins can become "addictive." But it is a good addiction to have.
For me, it is swimming. It has become essential to good mental health for me. keeps anxiety and stress at bay.

snowyne

Agree with all of these replies. I just started running in mid-Nov. and am slowly developing an appreciation for it. I used to hate it but as my stamina has improved, so has my attitude. Now I crave it when I miss a day. I've never been athletic and I took up running after getting a treadmill. I had a tough, loss-filled 2016 and it felt good to set little goals and eventually reach them. Running is now a bright spot in my day, something that clears my head and relieves stress like nothing else.